Manufacture of bolster cases



March 22,1927. 1,621,705

W. O. ALDRICH MANUFACTURE OF BOLSTER CASES Filed Jan. 20, 1923 INVENTOR M m \MML A TT NE Y Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

. UNITED STATES Lamas rues.

PATENT --WII|LIAM O. ALDRICH, OF WHITIIQ'S VILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO WHITIN MACHINE WORKS, 013 WHITINSVILLE, 1VIA5'SACI-IUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MANUFACTURE OEBOLSTER GASES.=

Application filed January 20, 1923.

The invention relates to the manufacture of cast iron oil boxes, such as the bolster cases for the spindles of spinning and twisting machinery, and its object is to render 5 such cases proof against leakage of lubricating oil. In the manufacture of spinning and twisting machines, it is found most practical to cast the bolster cases from the same melt as the other heavier, cast iron parts of the machine, the preparation of a special melt or the use of a special metal for these small parts being undesirable on account of the extra expense involved. But when bolster cases are cast of the same metal as the larger castings, a considerable wastage occurs, because many of the cases have to be thrown out because they are not oil-tight. The leakage is found to be due to the relatively coarse grain of the quality of castiron that is desirable for the larger parts, and its consequent porosity, which permits a slow but highly objectionable escape of lubricating oil to the exterior of the case, where it is likely to soil the yarn. The ob- 2 ject of this invention is to provide an inex pensive means of avoiding such waste while retaining the economy of using the same kind of iron and to this end the invention consists in the impregnation of the surface of such iron castings with a material nonsoluble in lubricating oil and capable of stopping the pores of the metal so as to pre vent leakage. Several pore-stopping materials are available for this purpose, but the invention particularly and specifically consists in the use of a metallic material and in its impregnation into the cast-iron surface by the process of electro-deposition. The drawing shows, by way of example, in Figure 1 a bolster case of the kind referred to, and in Figure 2 a very much enlarged section of the wall thereof illustrating the surface impregnation by the shade lines.

After being internally bored and externally threaded, the cast iron bolster cases are suspended in a suitable electrolyte bath in the usual manner and the metal, for example nickel, is caused to be deposited thereon. It is sufficient if the deposit is made on either the inside or the outside surface of the case, but it is generally more convenient if it is made on both sides, as shown by Fig. 2. In either case only a slight deposit is necessary, much less than would be Serial No. 613,839.

required if the bolster case were to be completely nickel-plated. The effect of a slight electrodeposit on the rough, and for the mostpart porous cast iron, as just described, is to cause the penetration of the metal into the minute granular interstices or pores of the cast surface, and this very slight deposit suffices to stop all the microscopic leak paths through the cast iron wall. No preliminary dressing or grinding of the surface is necessary and it is desirably left rough showing the grain of the molding sand and the marks of the boring or turning tools; nor is any subsequent bufling or other treatment required or desirable after deposit, since the requisite deposit is not heavy enough to take a polish. The deposition need be carried only to the extent of slightly frosting the surface and not to that extent which would cover or conceal the texture of the surface. To carry it to the latter extent would not add to the leak-proof effect and would tend to nullify the advantage and object of the process which, as already stated, are economy of manufacture, but, of course, the extent of the deposit is optional.

The present process in its preferred form is thus similar to the common process of electro-plating on cast iron, but differs therefrom, first, in that the cast iron surface is not smoothed or ground in advance of the deposition and, second, in that the process is complete as soon as a change of surface color is observed, which occurs very quickly, as will be understood. The preferred form of the invention thus, in effect, consists of a partial plating on a rough surface.

In actual practice the new process has resulted in the saving of from 10 to 15 per cent of the'product, which amount has heretofore been lost on account of oil leakage, besides which the frosted surface gives a pleasing appearance and does not require painting to be commercial, thus increasing the economy, although the cases may be painted, if desired.-

I claim:

1. In the art of manufacturing textile machinery, the improvement which consists in casting bolster cases out of the same iron metal from which the frame members of said machinery and other heavier parts are cast, boring and threading the so-cast cases, and then by electro-deposition impregnating the surface pores of the cases with a permanent bolster cases, which consists in casting such cases of cast iron, electrodepositing metal into the cast lron surface to an extent only sufliclent to produce a frosted appearance on said surface and thereby stop leakage through the cast iron, and thereafter assembling such cases in a spinning or twisting machine without polishing the surfaces thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

WILLIAM O. ALDRICH. 

